What You Need to Know Before You Start
A marriage license is a form your county or city clerk issues that gives you legal permission to marry. Before you fill it out, you need to get the blank form from your local clerk's office — either in person, by mail, or sometimes online. The form itself is usually one to two pages and asks for basic information about both people getting married, plus details about any previous marriages.
The specific questions on the form vary by state and sometimes by county. Some ask about your parents' names; others do not. Some require a witness signature; others do not. Before you sit down to fill anything in, call your clerk's office or check their website to see what version they use and what documents you will need to bring when you submit it.
Key Takeaways
- Get the blank form from your county or city clerk before you fill anything out, because the questions and requirements change by location.
- Use your full legal name as it appears on your birth certificate or government ID, not a nickname or stage name.
- If you have been married before, you will need to state how that marriage ended — by divorce, death, or annulment — and provide the date and location.
- Most states require both people to sign the form in front of a clerk or notary, not at home alone.
- After you submit the form and pay the fee, the clerk issues the license, which is valid for a set period — usually 30 to 90 days — before you can actually marry.
Filling in Names and Basic Information
Write your full legal name exactly as it appears on your birth certificate or current government ID. Do not use a nickname, stage name, or shortened version. If your name has changed since your birth certificate was issued — through marriage, divorce, court order, or any other reason — use the name that is currently on your ID. If the form asks for your name as it appears on your birth certificate separately, provide that too.
For date of birth, use the format the form requests: some want month-day-year, others want day-month-year. Write the numbers clearly. If you are unsure of the exact date, check your birth certificate or ID before you fill out the form. The same applies to your place of birth — some forms ask for city and state, others for city and country. Write what the form asks for, not what you think is close.
When you reach the section asking for your current address, use the address where you actually live now, not a mailing address or a previous address. If you have recently moved and your ID still shows an old address, bring proof of your current address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days usually works.
Reporting Previous Marriages
If either person has been married before, the form will ask how that marriage ended. You have three options: divorce, death of the spouse, or annulment. Write the one that applies. Do not leave this blank or write "N/A" if you have been married before — the clerk will send the form back.
The form will also ask for the date the previous marriage ended and the location — usually the city and state where the divorce was finalized or where the death occurred. If you do not have the exact date, bring your divorce decree or death certificate to the clerk's office. They can often help you find the information or may accept the form with the date left blank if you promise to provide it before the license is issued.
Some forms ask for the name of your previous spouse. Write their full name as it appeared on your marriage certificate. If you were married more than once, list each marriage separately if the form has space, or ask the clerk how to handle multiple previous marriages on a single form.
Witness and Notary Requirements
Many states require at least one witness to be present when you sign the marriage license form. Some require two. A witness is usually any adult who is not related to either person getting married — a friend, coworker, or stranger can serve as a witness. A few states allow a notary public to serve as the witness instead.
Do not sign the form at home and then bring it to the clerk. Most states require both people and any witnesses to sign in front of the clerk or a notary at the time you submit the form. If you sign it beforehand, the clerk will reject it and you will have to start over. Plan to go to the clerk's office together, bring your witness if required, and sign there.
Documents to Bring When You Submit the Form
Bring a government-issued photo ID for each person — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The clerk will check that your name on the form matches your ID. If your name has changed since your ID was issued, bring both your old ID and a document showing the change, such as a divorce decree or court order.
If either person has been married before, bring the divorce decree, death certificate, or annulment papers. The clerk may photocopy these or may just look at them to verify the information on the form. Ask when you call whether they need originals or copies.
Bring the marriage license fee in cash or check, depending on what your clerk accepts. The fee ranges from about $20 to $100 depending on your state and county. Some clerks offer a discount if you take a premarital education class, so ask whether that applies to you.
What Happens After You Submit the Form
Once the clerk accepts your completed form, they will issue you a marriage license — a document that proves you have permission to marry. This license is valid for a set period, usually 30 to 90 days depending on your state. You cannot marry before the license is issued, and you cannot marry after it expires.
The person performing the ceremony — a judge, minister, or other official — will need to see the license before the ceremony. After the ceremony, they will sign the back of the license and return it to you or send it to the clerk's office. The clerk then files it, and your marriage becomes a legal record.
If you do not use the license within the valid period, it expires and you have to start over. You will need to fill out a new form and pay the fee again. There is no way to extend an expired license.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not use a nickname or shortened name. The form asks for your legal name for a reason — the license has to match your ID and your birth certificate. If your name on the form does not match your ID, the clerk will ask you to correct it before accepting the form.
Do not leave the previous marriage section blank if you have been married before. Even if you think the answer is obvious or you do not want to discuss it, the form requires an answer. The clerk cannot issue the license without it.
Do not sign the form before you go to the clerk's office. Many people fill it out at home and then sign it, thinking they are saving time. This does not work. The clerk will reject a pre-signed form and you will have to fill out a new one and sign it in front of them.
Do not assume the form is the same everywhere. If you are getting married in a different state or county from where you live, get the form from the clerk in the place where you will actually marry. The requirements are different in different places.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fill out the marriage license form online and print it at home?
Some states and counties allow you to read and print the form at home, but you still have to submit it in person to the clerk's office and sign it there. A few states have moved to fully online systems where you fill it out on their website and submit it electronically, but this is not yet common. Check your county clerk's website to see what they offer.
What if I made a mistake on the form after I submitted it?
If the clerk has not yet issued the license, they can usually correct minor mistakes like a misspelled name or wrong date. If the license has already been issued, you cannot change it. You would have to get a new license, which means filling out a new form and paying the fee again. This is why it is worth taking time to check the form carefully before you submit it.
Do I need a marriage license if we are having a religious ceremony only?
That depends on your state and religion. Some states require a legal marriage license for any marriage, religious or not. Some religious traditions do not require a state license. Check with your state clerk and your religious leader to understand what is required where you live.
How long does it take to get the marriage license after I submit the form?
Most clerks issue the license the same day or within a few days. Some states have a waiting period — usually three to five days — between when you submit the form and when the license becomes valid. Check your state's rules so you know when you can actually schedule your ceremony.
What if one person cannot go to the clerk's office in person?
A few states allow one person to submit the form by mail or through a representative, but most require both people to appear in person. If one person is out of state or unable to travel, contact your clerk's office to ask whether they have an exception or whether you need to wait until both people can go together.